Soccer is an endurance sport, but the Lipscomb Lady Bisons continue to push the limits of how long they can stay on the field.

Friday night at the Lipscomb Soccer Complex coach Jon Ireland had 12 healthy position players plus two goalies available. After a scrappy 90-minute regulation performance against Tennessee Martin the Lady Bisons had to regroup and revive for a 10-minute overtime period.

After 100 minutes of play did not produce a goal for either team, the Skyhawks of Tennessee-Martin scored 22 seconds into the second overtime. A shot from about 20 yards out bounced into an open net for Abi Sanvee's first goal of the season with an assist from Jenni Duffy for the 1-0 win.

“They were dead on their feet,” Ireland said of his players. “The girls played so hard. I can’t emphasize that enough.

“They were dying out there. But they just kept fighting and fighting. I told them to keep their heads up and regroup.”

Ireland praised the entire team for showing such endurance, but he singled out Meghan McGuire and Martika Powe. He also was pleased with the overall play of Katie Wood.

“They just ran and ran,” Ireland said. “Meghan and Martika were two girls we needed subs for and just didn’t have them.”

Back on the field were Kameron Stilwell, Lacey Cross and Kelsey Reiman. Stilwell and Cross were able to play for the first time this season.

“This is the most talented team we have had since I have been here,” Ireland said. “We can’t catch a break. Every game we get a player back, but we also lose a player.

“Nothing is going to change. We have to deal with it. No one is going to feel sorry for us.”

The Lady Bisons attempted 10 shots with five shots on goal. Kate Spellman led with three shots, including one shot on goal.

The Skyhawks, 1-1-1, also had five shots on goal and 18 shots overall.

“I’m frustrated because this was not good enough,” Ireland said. “We can find excuses every year and every game for why we don’t win. It is even more frustrating because as the game went on we created more chances than them.”

In overtime both Kate Spellman and Wood had shots that looked like they might be goals.

“Kate had a ball that went just wide,” Ireland said. “Katie had a header that bounced around and was saved on the goal line.

“That is the frustrating thing about this game. It was such an even game. They get one chance and they scored on it.”

It was the sixth straight win for the Skyhawks against the Lady Bisons and it marked the fifth consecutive shutout.

The Lady Bisons, 1-2, are back in action Sunday afternoon at the Lipscomb Sports Complex when Jackson State visits at 2 p.m. There will be a free soccer clinic following the game.